Newscast
Kelowna
Monday, April 25, 2022, 7:20 p.m.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed that a small flock of poultry in the backyard in Kelowna tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1.
The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food is working closely with the CFIA and poultry producers in BC to ensure that enhanced prevention and preparedness measures are in place to protect poultry flocks in BC
The infected premises have been quarantined by the CFIA and the ministry has notified the manufacturers within a radius of 12 kilometers of a positive test result.
Owners of small herds or backyard herds are urged to remain vigilant and take appropriate preventive measures. Measures include eliminating or reducing the ability of poultry to encounter wild birds, reducing human access to the flock and intensifying cleaning, disinfection and disinfection of all items (including clothing and footwear) when entering areas where flocks are housed.
In addition, a recent sample of bald eagle found in Delta tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. This is the second bald eagle sample to test positive, with another positive case found in Vancouver in February. These samples were collected through the BC Wildlife Influenza Surveillance Program, which collects samples from sick and dead birds, as well as sediment samples from wetlands where birds are collected. The monitoring is in partnership between various federal and provincial agencies and the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
Avian influenza is a federally regulated disease and the CFIA leads the investigation and response with provincial support for testing, mapping, monitoring and disposal.
Find out more:
Information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food on avian influenza, including what to look out for, resources for small flock owners, orders from the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer and information on testing: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/ gov / content / industry / agriculture-seafood / animals-and-crops / animal health / notifiable diseases / bird flu-ai
Information from the CFIA on the current state of avian influenza in Canada: https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/response-to-detections-of-highly-pathogenic -avian – / eng / 1640207916497/1640207916934
Information on CFIA on avian influenza: https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/fact-sheet/eng/1356193731667/1356193918453#a2
The following contact information can be found on the ministry’s website, but is provided here for quick access:
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food of BC provides diagnostic services for commercial and small flocks of poultry, please call: 1 800-661-9903 to report unexplained diseases or deaths of poultry.
- Owners of small herds and backyard herds with general inquiries should call the backyard small herd and herd hotline: 604 855-8255.
- The Wild Bird Mortality Investigation Hotline of 1 866-431-2473 accepts public reports of dead wild birds.
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